Anytime a doctor says “abdominal aortic aneurysm” (AAA), it’s bound to make you feel uneasy about your health status. But it’s not all doom and gloom.
We know how concerning it is to hear you have a potentially life-threatening health condition, but our experts at Advanced Vascular Solutions in Melbourne and Sebastian, Florida, have many years of combined experience diagnosing, treating, and supporting life after AAA.
We’re showcasing the silver lining and highlighting our most popular treatments for AAA.
Before we delve into the prognosis, we must first define our terms. AAA is a weakening or bulging in the lower portion of the aorta, a major blood vessel that runs from your heart, through your chest, and into your abdominal area. The aorta supplies oxygen-rich blood to the rest of your body.
Bulging in the aorta increases the risk of a tear or rupture that may trigger life-threatening complications. You’re most at risk if you have high blood pressure or atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque along the blood vessel walls.
It might sound frightening — and it is — but having an AAA doesn’t automatically mean you’re heading for a fatal episode. Here are some encouraging facts about AAA.
There are many cases of small AAAs (less than 5.5 cm) remaining stable for years. If your AAA is small enough, we may monitor it for changes and reevaluate if it grows larger.
Screening, especially for men aged 65 and smokers, can catch an AAA before it causes symptoms or becomes dangerous. When we detect it early, treatment success rates are also much higher.
Unfortunately, most AAAs don’t cause any symptoms or trigger any warning signs. If you do develop symptoms, they’re usually:
These symptoms mimic those of other conditions; that’s why it’s essential to alert us and your health care team to any changes in your health.
You can’t eat or exercise your way to smaller AAAs, but managing your blood pressure, quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and eating a heart-healthy diet can go a long way in slowing aneurysm growth (and improving your overall vascular health).
When we repair an AAA electively (before surgery), survival rates are excellent — over 95% in many cases.
Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) offers a less invasive alternative to traditional open surgery, often with shorter recovery times and less risk for complications.
The procedure involves inserting a catheter in a blood vessel in your groin and advancing it toward the aneurysm. Then, we place a stent graft to reinforce the blood vessel wall.
After your AAA repair, you may need to spend a few days in the hospital for monitoring. Once you’re stable, we send you home with detailed care instructions. Full recovery usually takes up to four weeks (or 2-3 months if you opt for traditional surgery).
You’ll have a few follow-up appointments with us to monitor your health and stent graft.
We also work with you on adopting lifestyle changes that support your vascular health, maximize the results of your procedure, and prevent future aneurysms.
Don’t wait until an AAA becomes a matter of life or death. Request an appointment over the phone today or send us a message here on our website. We’re eager to serve patients in and around Indian River and Brevard counties.
